LinkedIn adds new tools to fight fake profiles and bogus work histories

LinkedIn is rolling out new measures to tackle the issue of fake profiles and misleading work histories on its platform, as AI technology has made it easier than ever for individuals to create deceptive accounts and engage in scams. In a bid to bolster member and corporate control over their LinkedIn presence, the company is introducing a range of new tools.

Members will now be able to vouch for their colleagues and classmates, confirming their acquaintances' claimed work experiences. This feature differs from an endorsement, which recommends a member's skills to others, and instead serves as a testament to the person's professional history. Built-in safeguards, such as requiring verifiers to have secure accounts with two-factor authentication and to be connected to the individual for at least a year, are in place to prevent abuse.

Businesses will gain the ability to remove false employment claims from their pages and search results, ensuring that only genuine associations appear. Additionally, LinkedIn is piloting a setting that allows page administrators to require members to undergo workplace verification, such as using their work email address, before associating with their page.

LinkedIn is also partnering with companies like Truecaller and PeerSpot to enable members to showcase their verified identities outside of LinkedIn. Truecaller members, for example, can add their verified LinkedIn identity when making calls, while existing partnerships with Adobe and UserTesting already allow members to display their verified status in their respective platforms.

The aim of these new features is to enhance credibility and provide valuable signals to members when making decisions about their professional network. LinkedIn VP of Product Oscar Rodriguez explained that verified members typically receive 50% more post views and 90% more impressions compared to non-verified profiles.